These honey butter rolls are soft, buttery, and incredibly easy to make from scratch in just 30 minutes. Forget the store-bought dinner rolls – these homemade honey butter rolls taste like they came from a fancy bakery, but they’re ready faster than a trip to the grocery store. Let me show you how to make the best rolls you’ll ever taste.
Looking for soft, buttery dinner rolls that taste like they came from a bakery but are ready in just 30 minutes? These honey butter rolls are about to become your secret weapon for weeknight dinners, holiday meals, and everything in between.
I know what you’re thinking – homemade rolls in 30 minutes? Yes, really! And they’re so much better than anything you’ll find at the store. Let me show you how easy it is.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Butter Rolls Recipe
Let’s be real: nothing beats the smell of fresh-baked rolls coming out of your oven. These honey butter rolls are:
- Quick and easy – Seriously, just 30 minutes from start to finish
- Perfectly soft and fluffy – That melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves
- Sweet and buttery – Thanks to the honey butter glaze brushed on top
- Versatile – Perfect for holiday dinners, Sunday suppers, or Tuesday night tacos
And here’s the best part: you probably already have everything you need in your pantry.
When to Serve These Dinner Rolls
These rolls are my go-to side dish for pretty much everything. I make them for:
- Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner – They’re always the first thing to disappear
- Sunday pot roast or fried chicken – Because every good meal needs a good roll
- Soup nights – Perfect for dipping into chili or potato soup
- Weeknight dinners – When you want something special without the fuss
Pro tip: Double the batch and freeze half. Future you will be so grateful.
Ingredient Notes for the Best Rolls
You’ll need basic pantry staples for these rolls:
- All-purpose flour – The foundation of fluffy rolls
- Active dry yeast – What makes them rise and get that perfect texture
- Honey – Adds sweetness and helps create that golden color
- Butter – Both in the dough and brushed on top for extra richness
- Whole milk – Makes them extra tender
- Egg – Helps bind everything and adds richness
- Salt – Balances the sweetness
Quality matters: Use fresh yeast (check the expiration date!) and real butter. It makes a difference you can taste.
How to Make Honey Butter Rolls in 30 Minutes
The secret to quick homemade rolls? A warm rise environment and efficient shaping. Here’s the basic process:
Activate the yeast: Warm your milk and butter together, then add to honey and yeast. This jumpstarts the rising process.
Mix the dough: Once your yeast is foamy, add the egg, salt, and flour. The dough will be slightly sticky – that’s what makes them soft!
Shape and rise: Divide into 12 equal balls, place in your baking dish, and let them rise in a warm spot for 10-25 minutes. They should puff up noticeably.
Bake until golden: Just 10-12 minutes in a 375°F oven and you’re done.
Brush with honey butter: This is the magic step! Brush warm rolls with melted butter and honey for that signature golden shine and sweet flavor.
Tips for Perfect Rolls Every Time
After making these rolls more times than I can count, here’s what I’ve learned:
Check your yeast: If it doesn’t foam up after 5-10 minutes, your yeast might be dead. Start over with fresh yeast.
Don’t add too much flour: The dough should be slightly sticky. If it’s too dry, your rolls will be dense.
Keep them uniform: Try to make your dough balls the same size so they bake evenly.
Use a warm spot for rising: I put mine in the oven with just the light on, or near a sunny window. Warmth = faster rising.
Don’t skip the honey butter brush: This is what makes them taste like fancy bakery rolls!
Recipe adapted from i Heart Eating
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Make ahead: Prepare the dough and shape the rolls, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise before baking.
Freezing baked rolls: Let them cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to a month. Reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.
Storing leftovers: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.
Recipe Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, have some fun with it:
- Whole wheat: Swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour
- Garlic herb rolls: Add minced garlic and herbs (rosemary, thyme, or parsley) to the dough
- Cinnamon honey rolls: Mix cinnamon into the honey butter glaze
- Cheese rolls: Fold in shredded cheddar or parmesan before shaping
Why Homemade Beats Store-Bought Every Time
I used to grab rolls from the bakery section all the time. But once I realized how easy (and fast!) these are to make, I never went back. Here’s why:
- Fresher: Nothing beats rolls straight from your oven
- Better ingredients: You control what goes in them – no preservatives or weird additives
- More affordable: Making a dozen rolls costs less than buying them
- Way more impressive: Your family will think you’re a baking genius
Plus, the smell alone makes your house feel like Thanksgiving morning.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes! Prepare the dough, shape the rolls, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to take the chill off, then let them rise and bake as directed.
Absolutely! Let the baked rolls cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to a month. To reheat, thaw at room temperature and warm in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes, or microwave individual rolls for 15-20 seconds.
Yes! Use the same amount of instant yeast, but skip the proofing step. Mix the instant yeast directly with the dry ingredients, then add your warm milk mixture and proceed with the recipe.
You can, but your rolls will be slightly chewier. Bread flour has more protein, which creates more gluten. If you use bread flour, you may need to add a tablespoon or two more liquid since it absorbs more moisture. Start with the same amount and adjust as needed.
The most common culprit is dead yeast. Check the expiration date and make sure your milk mixture is between 100-110°F – too hot will kill the yeast, too cold won’t activate it. Also make sure you’re letting them rise in a warm, draft-free spot.
Similar Recipes
If you enjoy homemade bread recipes like this, you will enjoy the ones below:
- Homemade Bread Bowl Recipe for Soups
- Homemade Honey Oat Bread
- Skillet Buttery Cornbread Recipe
- Buttermilk Cheddar and Chive Biscuits
30-Minute Honey Butter Rolls Recipe
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
These Honey Butter Rolls can be made from scratch within 30 minutes! Just make, bake, and brush with melted butter and honey!
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp. Butter
- 1 c. whole milk
- 2 envelopes Active Dry Yeast
- 1/3 c. honey
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 1/2 – 4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp. Melted butter, divided
- 1 tbsp. Honey
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, melt the butter and milk together to reach a temperature between 100-110 Degrees F.
- In a separate large mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the yeast and honey to the bowl. Carefully pour the milk into the bowl with the honey and yeast. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Use the paddle handle and begin to add the egg and salt. Use the dough hook attachment to add the flour carefully, one cup at a time, to the yeast mixture ( I only needed 3 ½ cups of flour).
- Add the flour to the mixture until the dough is pulled away from the side of the bowl and clings to the dough hook. The dough will be sticky.
- Separate the dough into 12 dough balls. Roll into smooth balls and place into a 9X13 baking dish or on a cookie sheet. Cover with clean kitchen towel and place in warm place for 10-25 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 Degrees. Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter and brush the rolls with the butter. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Melt the last 2 tablespoons of butter and honey together. Once finished baked, brush with additional melted butter and honey. Serve as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Bread
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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